Firkin

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ˈfɝkɪn/
• RP IPA: /ˈfɜːkɪn/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)kɪn

Origin

From Middle Dutch *vierdekijn, diminutive of vierde ("fourth"),

Online Etymology Dictionary

from vier ("four"), equivalent to fourth + -kin.

Full definition of firkin

Noun

1. (British) A varying measure of capacity, usually being the fourth part of a barrel; specifically, a measure equal to nine imperial gallons. Eng.
• 1882, James Edwin Thorold Rogers, A History of Agriculture and Prices in England, Volume 4, p. 205:23 Hen. VIII, cap. 4... The barrel of beer is to hold 36 gallons, the kilderkin 18 gallons the firkin 9. But the barrel, kilderkin, and firkin of ale are to contain 32, 16, and 8 gallons.
2. (US) A small wooden vessel or cask of indeterminate size, -- used for butter, lard, etc.
3. A weight measure for butter, equalling 56 pounds.